Traveling step-ladder



(No Model.)

J, E. GORDON. TRAVELING STEP LADDER.

No.. 464,433. Patented Dec. 1, 1891;

WITNESSES. [WEI/V702.

J6 ga 1 Za 4 msr UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. GORDON, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

TRAVELING STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 464,433, datedDecember 1, 1891.

Application filed July 11, 1891. Serial No- 399,122- No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. GORDON, a citizen of the'United States, anda resident of Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in TravelingStep-Ladders; andIdo hereby declare that the following is a full,clear,and exact description of the invention, which will enableothers skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in traveling step-ladders designedto be used in stores and other similar places. As is well known, instores the shelving upon which is placed the goods or articles for saleusually consists of a series of boards of proper length and widtharranged in parallel rows from the ceiling to a point about the heightof the counter. From this point to the floor there is generally arrangeda series of bins or compartments provided with doors and covers. As thusconstructed itis very difficult to employ an ordinary ladder for thepurpose of handling articles upon the upper shelves, owing to thecontracted space between the counter and the shelving.

The object of myinvention is to provide an improved construction ofstep-ladder which may be readily and easily pulled or pushed along infront of the shelves Without requiring the operator to lift the same.

The invention consists in the .improved construction hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the figure represents a perspective View ofordinary store-shelving, showing my improved ladder in use therewith.

In the said drawing, the reference-nu meral 1 designates the floor; 2,aseries of uprights; 3, the horizontal shelves, and 4: the lowerportion,which may be constructed with bins or compartments or beprovided with drawers in the ordinary manner.

Secured to the floor and abutting against the lower portion of theshelving and extending horizontally from end to end thereof is a groovedtrack 5, which may be made of wood, metal, or other suitable material,and the upper shelves are provided with a downwardly-depending flange'7, forming a way for the upper end of the ladder, hereinafterdescribed.

The numeral 8 designates an ordinary lad der comprising the sides 9 andsteps 9, having secured to said sides down wardly-extending arms 10, soarranged with respect to the ladder that when the latter is inclined atthe proper angle to enable persons to climb the same they will occupy anupright position.

The lower portions of these arms are bifur-' cated, in whichbifurcations are journaled vertical wheels or rollers 12, which areadapted to engage with and run in the groove in the track 5. Braces 13may be provided for strengthening and stiffening the arms. The upperends of the ladder are provided with arms 13, in which are journaledhorizontal wheels or rollers 14, adapted to run in the way formed by thecover of the shelves and the depending flange.

The operation will be readily understood. The ladder when in use willoccupy the position shown in the drawing, and to move it along in frontof the shelves to change its position it is simply necessary to push orpull the same, which can be done with very little effort by reason ofthe wheels or rollers which support the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A ladderconsisting ,of the sides, the steps, the horizontal wheels or rollersconnected with said sides, and the downwardlydepending arms secured tothe sides and having vertical wheels or rollers journaled in their lowerends, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the ladder consisting of the sides, the steps,and the wheels at the upper end thereof, and the'depending arms havingrollers at their lower ends, of the shelving having a projecting coverand a downwardlydepending flange, and the grooved track at the lower endof said shelv- JOHN E. GORDON.

Witnesses:

DAN BRYAN, F. T. JUSTICE.

ICO

